The King George VI Chase takes place at Kempton on Boxing Day and it’s one of the finest races on the calendar outside of the Cheltenham Festival. It’s set to be an absolute cracker this year so we’ve provided all the information you need about the runners. We’ve also given our verdict on the big Grade 1 event. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Willie Mullins’ Irish raider is an absolute monster on his day and you can certainly see why he heads the market here. He’s entitled to improve plenty for his comeback run at Clonmel last time out, his first start for 561 days. If back to his best here, he’s unlikely to be far away.
Paul Nicholls’ charge was a smart winner of this race last year and Britain’s champion trainer has a terrific record in this race. The horse hasn’t been in quite the same form this year but this will be his major target for the season. Major improvement is expected this time around.
Frodon is also a previous winner of this but he’s getting on in age and was pretty below-par at Wincanton on seasonal debut. He looks very vulnerable here and is perhaps one to avoid, with his best days behind him.
Shark Hanlon’s stable star has a Grade 1 prize in him and is very talented on his day. He ran well for a long way in the Gold Cup in March, despite the ground being unsuitable. The good ground here should be right up his street.
Shishkin is very talented on his day but it’s fair to say he has his quirks. Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old refused to race at Ascot last time and arrives here without a prep run as a consequence. His trainer is concerned about that and it’s hard to tell which Shishkin we’re going to get.
This horse got the better of Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in March. He was a tad disappointing on seasonal reappearance in the Paddy Power last time out but he had excuses and the return to three miles should suit.
Bravemansgame is our selection for the big race. Paul Nicholls has the record for the most King George wins and he’ll undoubtedly have his horse in peak form to defend his crown.
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